Sanitizing Glove

ABSTRACT

A system for sanitizing surfaces; the system includes a glove, or a pair of gloves having a sanitizing fluid dispenser, a pouch containing sanitizing fluid and attached to the glove(s), and a conduit fluidly connecting the sanitizing fluid dispenser with the sanitizing fluid in the pouch. The system is useful for providing a wearer of the glove(s) with a means to easily sanitize or disinfect surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of gloves of existing art and more specifically relates to gloves including sanitizing means.

RELATED ART

The practice of sanitizing and disinfecting surfaces is well known in the art. Sanitizers are substances that simultaneously clean and disinfect. According to the CDC, sanitizing refers to lowering the number of germs on a surface to a safe level, either by cleaning (physically removing germs and viruses) or disinfecting (killing the germs and viruses). Sanitizing of surfaces is important in order to prevent the spread of viruses via indirect contact transmission. This is particularly important in times of pandemic, such as the novel COVID-19, as sanitizing of surfaces may prevent the spread of such viruses.

Current means of sanitizing and disinfecting surfaces include bottles, sprays or wipes containing a sanitizing fluid configured for application to the surface via the wipes or a cloth. However, surfaces that are touched frequently by different people carry the greatest risk, such as door handles, tables, restroom surfaces, eating and drinking utensils, writing utensils, shared electronic devices, and so on. As such, the current means of sanitizing is not satisfactory in these situations, as an individual seldom carries these bulky bottles, sprays or wipes around in public with them. Thus, a suitable portable solution is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known sanitizer art, the present disclosure provides a novel sanitizing glove. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a portable sanitizing glove configured to easily sanitize a surface.

A system for sanitizing surfaces is disclosed herein. The system includes at least one glove (preferably two as a pair), a pouch and a conduit means. Each of the at least one glove(s) may include a hand portion having a rear side and a palm side, and a set of five-digit portions attached to the hand portion. The at least one glove may be defined by at least an inner layer and an outer layer. The inner layer may be configured for contact with a hand of a wearer of the at least one glove and the outer layer may include sanitizing fluid outlet means.

The pouch may be attached about the hand portion of the at least one glove and include an inner-capacity configured to store a sanitizing fluid. Further, the conduit means may be located in the at least one glove. The conduit means may fluidly connect the inner-capacity of the pouch with the sanitizing fluid outlet means. Upon actuation, at least one dose of the sanitizing fluid may move from the inner-capacity of the pouch, through the conduit means and out through the sanitizing fluid outlet means to sanitize a surface.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a sanitizing glove, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1A is a top front view of the system during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a top side view of the system during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2A is a top dissected view of the system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B is a bottom dissected view of the system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2C is a top view of the system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2D is a bottom view of the system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a glove, or a pair of gloves, and more particularly to sanitizing gloves as used to improve means for sanitizing and disinfecting surfaces, particularly to prevent the spread of viruses and germs. The glove(s) may be worn by commuters, workers and pedestrians and may allow the same to sanitize surfaces on the go.

Generally disclosed is a glove (or a pair of gloves) housing a sanitizing fluid therein. In one embodiment, the glove may include a refillable or exchangeable pouch attached to a top of a hand section thereof. The pouch may be attached to the glove via a clip. In this embodiment, the pouch may be connected to tubes that are located in finger sections of the glove and feed the sanitizing fluid through dispensing means located in the glove. In this embodiment, dispensing of the sanitizing fluid may be actuated via pressure.

In another embodiment, the glove may include a pocket attached to a bottom of the hand section of the glove. In this embodiment, the pocket may be refillable. A user may access the pocket via a leakproof zipper to refill the sanitizing fluid. The pocket may feed the sanitizing fluid into dispensing means located in the glove. In this embodiment, dispensing of the sanitizing fluid may be actuated via gravity. Various dispensing means may be employed.

In both embodiments, the dispensing means may be perforated fingertips in fluid communication with the pocket or pouch to receive the sanitizing fluid, and leak the sanitizing through the perforated fingertips. Further, the glove may include a rubber barrier surface that protects a wearer's hand from the sanitizing fluid. In addition to this, the glove may include a semi-absorbent layer to minimize sublimation of the sanitizing fluid. Furthermore, the glove may include a breathable layer to provide improved comfort to the wearer.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1A-4, various views of a system for sanitizing surfaces (“system” 100).

FIGS. 1A-1B shows a system 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the system 100 may be beneficial for use by a user to effectively sanitize surfaces. As illustrated, the system 100 may include at least one glove 110 and a pouch 120 storing a sanitizing fluid 124. In some embodiments, the at least one glove 110 may be a pair of gloves 105 (FIG. 1A). Shown in these figures is a user dispensing the sanitization fluid 124 on a shopping cart handle (FIG. 1A) and a door-knob (FIG. 1B). Other surfaces are contemplated. These figures also demonstrate the pouch 120 being attached to the at least one glove 110 in different locations, according to different embodiments. For example, the pouch 120 is not demonstrated in FIG. 1B as it is located on an underside of the at least one glove 110, obstructed from view.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2D showing various views of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The at least one glove 110 may include a hand portion 112 having a rear side 111 and a palm side 113, and a set of five-digit portions 114 attached to the hand portion 112. The at least one glove 110 may be defined by at least an inner layer 116 and an outer layer 118. For illustrative purposes, the at least one glove 110 is shown to be transparent in FIGS. 2A-2B to illustrate the inner layer 116 and the outer layer 118 in relation to a hand of wearer. As shown, the inner layer 116 may be configured for contact with the hand of the wearer of the at least one glove 110. Preferably, the inner layer 116 may be impervious to the sanitizing fluid 124 (FIG. 1B) so as to protect the hand of the wearer from the sanitizing fluid 124, preventing irritation from contact with the sanitizing fluid 124. In one embodiment, the inner layer 116 may comprise a rubber material. Other materials are contemplated.

The outer layer 118 may include sanitizing fluid outlet means 119. The sanitizing fluid outlet means 119 may include at least one aperture 115 located about a bottom of the outer layer 118 of the at least one glove 110. In one embodiment, the at least one aperture 115 may be located on each fingertip of the set of five-digit portions 114. As shown, the at least one aperture 115 may be a plurality of apertures 117.

A bottom of the outer layer 118 may comprise a semi-absorbent material 108 configured to minimize sublimation of the sanitizing fluid 124. Further, at least a portion of a top of the outer layer 118 may comprise a breathable material 109 configured for extended comfort for a wearer of the at least one glove 110. Preferably, the portion of the top of the outer layer 118 may be from a knuckle portion of the at least one glove 110 to a wrist-end of the at least one glove 110. In some embodiments, there may be more layers than the inner layer 116 and the outer layer 118. For example, the semi-absorbent material 108 and/or the breathable material 109 may be additional layers of the at least one glove 110. For illustrative purposes, the semi-absorbent material 108 and the breathable material 109 are illustrated as different patterns in FIGS. 2C-2D.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-4 showing various views of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the pouch 120 may be attached about the hand portion 112 of the at least one glove 110. The pouch 120 may include an inner-capacity 122 configured to store the sanitizing fluid 124. In some embodiments, the inner-capacity 122 may be sized to hold at least 0.5 oz of the sanitizing fluid 124. It is contemplated that the inner-capacity 122 may be configured to store an amount of the sanitizing fluid 124 that will be of a comfortable weight on the hand of the wearer and preferably prevent frequent refilling or exchanging of the pouch 120.

Types of sanitizing fluid 124 contemplated may be sodium hypochlorite solutions, quaternary ammonium compounds, iodophors or iodine, alcohol solutions such as ethanol or isopropanol, chlorine, and the like. It is to be understood that although the word “sanitizing” is used, disinfecting fluids are also contemplated, and “sanitizing fluid” should be taken to mean any fluid used to kill or at least decrease an amount of germs or viruses on a surface. Other sanitizing means may be used.

In one embodiment, the pouch 120 may be removably attachable to the at least one glove 110 via a fastener 121. As shown, the fastener 121 may be a clip. In this embodiment, the pouch 120 may be attached to the rear side 111 of the hand portion 112. The pouch 120 may be removable via the fastener 121 to allow the user to refill or replace the pouch 120.

In another embodiment, the pouch 120 may be integral to the at least one glove 110. In this embodiment, the pouch 120 may be included with the outer layer 118 of the at least one glove 110, or be included as a glove layer on the outer layer 118 of the at least one glove 110. As shown, the pouch 120 may include a leakproof closure-mechanism 123 configured for selectively providing access to the inner-capacity 122. In this embodiment, the inner-capacity 122 of the pouch 120 may be refillable with the sanitizing fluid 124 via the leakproof closure-mechanism 123. The leakproof closure-mechanism 123 may be a zipping fastener. Other fasteners are also contemplated.

Further, as shown in this embodiment, the pouch 120 may be attached to the palm side 113 of the hand portion 112. It should be appreciated however that the pouch 120 is not limited to being attached to the rear side 111, palm side 113, or on the hand portion 112 at all.

As shown, a conduit means 130 may be located in the at least one glove 110. For illustration purposes, the conduit means 130 are shown in at the at least one glove 110, however in some embodiments it is contemplated that the conduit means 130 would not be visible from an outside of the at least one glove 110. Preferably, the conduit means 130 may be located between the inner layer 116 (FIGS. 2A-2B) and the outer layer 118 (FIG. 2A-2B) of the at least one glove 110. This may prevent the sanitizing fluid 124 from contacting the hand of the wearer. The conduit means 130 may fluidly connect the inner-capacity 122 of the pouch 120 with the sanitizing fluid outlet means 119. Upon actuation, at least one dose of the sanitizing fluid 124 may move from the inner-capacity 122 of the pouch 120, through the conduit means 130 and out through the sanitizing fluid outlet means 119 to sanitize a surface.

In one embodiment, the actuation may be pressure on the pouch 120. In this embodiment, the user may squeeze, or apply manual pressure to the pouch 120. In another embodiment, the actuation may be via gravity. In this embodiment, the sanitizing fluid 124 may slowly leak from the inner-capacity 122 of the pouch 120, through the conduit-means 130 and out of the sanitizing fluid outlet means 119.

It should be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for sanitizing surfaces with wearable means are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. A system for sanitizing surfaces comprising: at least one glove including a hand portion having a rear side and a palm side, and a set of five-digit portions attached to the hand portion, the at least one glove being defined by at least an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner layer configured for contact with a hand of a wearer of the at least one glove, the outer layer including sanitizing fluid outlet means; a pouch attached about the hand portion of the at least one glove, the pouch including an inner-capacity configured to store a sanitizing fluid; and a conduit means located in the at least one glove, the conduit means fluidly connecting the inner-capacity of the pouch with the sanitizing fluid outlet means; and wherein upon actuation, at least one dose of the sanitizing fluid moves from the inner-capacity of the pouch, through the conduit means and out through the sanitizing fluid outlet means to sanitize a surface.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the inner layer is impervious to the sanitizing fluid so as to protect the hand of the wearer from the sanitizing fluid.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the inner layer comprises a rubber material.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the conduit means is located between the inner layer and the outer layer.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the sanitizing fluid outlet means includes at least one aperture located about a bottom of the outer layer of the at least one glove.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the at least one aperture is located on each fingertip of the set of five-digit portions.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one aperture is a plurality of apertures.
 8. The system of claim 5, wherein the bottom of the outer layer comprises a semi-absorbent material configured to minimize sublimation of the sanitizing fluid.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a top of the outer layer comprises a breathable material configured for extended comfort for a wearer of the at least one glove.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the pouch is removably attachable to the at least one glove via a fastener.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the pouch is attached to the rear side of the hand portion.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein pouch is integral to the at least one glove.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the pouch is attached to the palm side of the hand portion.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the pouch includes a leakproof closure-mechanism configured for selectively providing access to the inner-capacity.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the inner-capacity of the pouch is refillable with the sanitizing fluid via the leakproof closure-mechanism.
 16. The system of claim 11, wherein the actuation is pressure on the pouch.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the actuation is via gravity.
 18. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one glove is a pair of said gloves.
 19. A system for sanitizing surfaces comprising: at least one glove including a hand portion having a rear side and a palm side and a set of five-digit portions attached to the hand portion, the at least one glove being defined by at least an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner layer configured for contact with a hand of a wearer of the at least one glove, the inner layer being impervious to the sanitizing fluid so as to protect the hand of the wearer from the sanitizing fluid, a bottom of the outer layer comprising a semi-absorbent material configured to minimize sublimation of the sanitizing fluid, the outer layer including a sanitizing fluid outlet means, the sanitizing fluid outlet means having at least one aperture located about the bottom of the outer layer of the at least one glove, the at least one aperture being located on each fingertip of the set of five-digit portions; a pouch attached to the rear side of the hand portion of the at least one glove, the pouch being removably attachable to the at least one glove via a fastener, the pouch including an inner-capacity configured to store a sanitizing fluid; and a conduit means located in between the inner layer and the outer layer of the at least one glove, the conduit means fluidly connecting the inner-capacity of the pouch with the sanitizing fluid outlet means; and wherein upon actuation via pressure on the pouch, at least one dose of the sanitizing fluid moves from the inner-capacity of the pouch, through the conduit means and out through the sanitizing fluid outlet means to sanitize a surface.
 20. A system for sanitizing surfaces comprising: at least one glove including a hand portion having a rear side and a palm side and a set of five-digit portions attached to the hand portion, the at least one glove being defined by at least an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner layer configured for contact with a hand of a wearer of the at least one glove, the inner layer being impervious to the sanitizing fluid so as to protect the hand of the wearer from the sanitizing fluid, a bottom of the outer layer comprising a semi-absorbent material configured to minimize sublimation of the sanitizing fluid, the outer layer including a sanitizing fluid outlet means, the sanitizing fluid outlet means having at least one aperture located about the bottom of the outer layer of the at least one glove, the at least one aperture being located on each fingertip of the set of five-digit portions; a pouch attached to the palm side of the hand portion of the at least one glove, the pouch being integral to the at least one glove, the pouch including an inner-capacity configured to store a sanitizing fluid; and a conduit means located in the at least one glove, the conduit means fluidly connecting the inner-capacity of the pouch with the sanitizing fluid outlet means; and wherein upon actuation via gravity, at least one dose of the sanitizing fluid moves from the inner-capacity of the pouch, through the conduit means and out through the sanitizing fluid outlet means to sanitize a surface. 